“Our Commitment to Sustainability”
Eating more fruit & veg is one of the kindest things we can do for our planet and at The Happy Pear, we want to create a healthier and happier world.
That’s why we make delicious and healthy plant-based food for you to enjoy and why we’re doing our best to put it in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging (just like our industrially compostable granola pouches, sprouts/bites tubs, and our home compostable meal trays!)
We have a team dedicated to sustainable packaging. In 2019 we launched 18 of our products with compostable packaging so that 55% of our entire wholesale product range is now in compostable packaging ! This range include:
– The Happy Pear Meals (trays only): Shepherdless Pie, Veggie Lasagne, Veggie Cannelloni, Chickpea Curry, Veggie Korma & Chilli No Carne
– The Happy Pear Burgers (trays only): Quarter Pounders & Falafel Burgers
– The Happy Pear Granola Pouches: Cool Jim’s Granola, Steve’s Dreamy Granola, Dave’s Cocoa Granola
– The Happy Pear Sprouts (tubs and labels): Organic Alfalfa Sprouts, Organic Bean Mix, Leek Sprouts & Pea Shoots
– They Happy Pear Bites (tubs only): Salted Caramel Bites, Tiffin Bites & Seedie Cookie Bite
The Plastic Plight
Why are we moving to compostable packaging?
Plastic is terrible for the environment. It can be found in the bellies of more than 90% of the world’s sea birds, in more than half of the world’s sea turtles, and is even causing death in whales. Ocean plastic is also affecting human health. Microplastic has been found in commercial table salt and studies show that it can be found in both tap and bottled water.
About 13 million tonnes of plastic leak into our oceans every year negatively affecting aquatic life.
An estimated 9 billion tonnes of virgin plastic have been produced in the world until now. Nearly 70% of this has only been used once before being sent to landfills and open ecosystems. Only 9% of that 9 billion tonnes has been recycled. Plastic packaging accounts for about half of the plastic in the world and this needs to be addressed.
Ireland produces nearly 300 million tonnes of plastic every year. That’s a whopping 67kg per person, more than any other European country and double that of the UK.
Half of this plastic is single use and is thrown away.
Packaging accounts for more than 180 million tonnes of Irish plastic production and only 40% of this is recycled.
What Is Compost?
Composting is the natural process of decomposition. It turns organic materials like garden waste and plant-based foods into a dark earth called compost.
It is nutrient rich and feeds the soil with vitamins and minerals for plants to absorb. These vitamins and minerals support life on our planet as humans and other animals eat the plants that benefit from the nutrient rich soil.
For composting to work it needs food and other organic materials as well as water and air. When the conditions are right microorganisms get involved and start to break down the food and other organic material. Later in the process worms, insects, fungi and other organisms join in and break it down further.
You can make compost in two ways, at home or industrially. Industrial composting is managed by your waste management company and it’s super easy. All you have to do is put your organic waste into the correct bin (in Ireland that’s the brown one). Your food scraps will be collected and brought to a composting facility where it is turned into compost that will eventually be used mainly for agricultural purposes.
It is a little bit more work but anyone with a bit of extra space can make their own compost in their back garden. All you need is a compost bin and you are ready to go.
Our Compostable* Packaging
Granola Pouches & Sprouts/Bites Tubs
Our Compostable Granola Pouches and sprouts/bites tubs are made from plant based material. Think of it like the peel of an orange. It protects the food inside, and when it’s no longer needed it goes back to the earth, once disposed of though the industrial composting system.
In order for these packs to completely break down they must be disposed of in your organic waste bin (in Ireland that’s the brown bin). In 10 to 12 weeks it will be break down completely in an industrial facility and turn into soil to support more life.
Our Meal & Burger Trays
Our meal and burger trays are produced in Ireland and are Ireland’s first home compostable meal tray. They are made from sustainably sourced virgin paper pulp board and lined with a unique bio-film which ensures no permeability. They are certified as “home compostable”, meaning that they will completely break down in your home compost bin. They can also be disposed of in your organic waste bin along with our other compostable packaging.
*All our compostable packaging is compliant with the European standard EN 13432.